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IOC Coastal Area Management activities date back several decades ago. Through existing IOC and Unesco programmes, interdisciplinary scientific and social coastal activities were carried out. In 1997 Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) was adopted as an independant programme by the 19th session of the IOC Assembly, and in November 1998 the programme was established. The objective for this programme is to assist IOC Member States in their efforts to build marine scientific and technological capabilities in the field of Integrated Coastal Management as follow up of UNCED, Agenda 21. The programme will provide reliable marine scientific data, develop methodologies, disseminate information and build interdisciplinary capacity through symposia, workshops, seminars and training courses.
The objectives of the Programme are to address coastal zone problems through activities of a more cooperative, coordinated and interdisciplinary nature, and ensure good coordination among existing IOC efforts related to the coastal zone. This programme also aims to provide a mechanism to promote interaction between IOC programmes related to ICAM and those of other international organisations, between marine natural scientists and social scientists, as well as between scientists and coastal managers and policy-makers.
The structure of the ICAM programme is based on a proposal, which was developed by an interdisciplinary group of experts and adopted by the IOC Executive Council in 1998.
The achievements and activities of the ICAM programme are regularly reviewed through the convening of the ICAM Advisory Group of Experts that meets every two years.
ICAM Terms of reference
- Investigation of interdisciplinary coastal processes to improve the scientific basis for the management of coastal seas;
- Development of scientific methodologies and techniques to suit the needs of coastal managers;
- Development of an Internet information system on marine sciences and observation in support of ICAM;
- Study of human communities and ecosystem interactions, in coastal areas, and in particular in coastal urban environment, though the development of environmental and performance indicators;
- Training on science/policy interface in coastal areas, as well as technical training in the use of scientific techniques; and
- Implementation of the ICAM programme through IOC regional mechanisms taking into account the unique and special needs of each region.
The present activities of the IOC/ICAM programme includes the support to the IOC /LOICZ / SCOR Study Group on the Assessment and Management Implications of Submarine Groundwater Discharge into the Coastal Zone; IOC/ICAM is a sponsor of the LOICZ Basins Project which is looking at the evaluation of the role of catchment basins in cycling of nutrients, sediments, water, in coastal areas and the development of indicators of environmental change and sustainability. The programme is serving as secretariat for the Coastal Ocean Advanced Science and Technology Studies (COASTS) which will produce volumes 12 & 13 of The Sea. The programme is a co-sponsor of the ICM Global Web Service – a coastal area management information clearinghouse.
Manuals and guidelines are being elaborated in the framework of the Working Group on Methodological Aspects of ICAM. In particular, the programme is focusing on the role of indicators for ICAM, through the support of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans and NOAA.
Assistance to developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the sustainable management of coastal and marine environment is provided through the African Process and in the framework of the NEPAD Environment Action Plan.
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